I was told that my 12 year old Border collie has fluid around her lungs. The only procedure was to remove the fluid and test it but that the fluid would return and the only other solution was surgery. Can any help me with this as i love my taffy more than anything and don't want her suffering.Right now she just breathes heavy but other than that she is perfectly well. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Someone told me of an oxygen mask for dogs... are they pulling my short legs?

Meg

June 12th, 2003, 07:13 PM

Im sorry to hear your dog is ill, IM sorry I cant help you as I dont know anything about that . Maybe you should be asking your vet some more questions , like if you dont get the fluid taken off will she suffer, heavy breathing means that you are uncomfortable right , just a thought.

unclefester

June 13th, 2003, 09:52 AM

If you are unsure get a second opinion from another vet.

If it IS fluid around the lungs then repaing what is causing that fluid to leak is what is called for...and it very well may be that surgery is the last answer.

U.F.

pethouse

June 14th, 2003, 01:14 AM

did the vet say what is causing the pulmonary edema? Usually congestive heart failure causes the problem, unless the dog has experienced some sort of trauma to the chest (auto accident, etc.). The dog will not get enough oxygen while fluid fills the thoracic cavity and draining the fluid helps temporarily, but I would want to know what caused the problem to begin with and how surgery is going to resolve the problem. good luck, I hope everything works out.